Railroad set-off apparatus



May 28, 1968 R. G. KERSHAW ETAL RAILROAD SET-OFF APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan.

May 28, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet Filed Jan.

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United States Patent O 3,385,230 RALRGAD SET-OFF APPARATUS Royce G. Kershaw and Royce G. Kershaw, Jr., both of 2066 Allendale Road 36111; Henry W. Copeland, Jr., 1028 S. Court St. 36104; and John T. Brooks, Jr., 3536 Bridlewood Drive 36111; all of Montgomery,

Ala.

Filed Jan. 3, 1967, Ser. No. 607,067 10 Claims. (Cl. 10S- 177) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Apparatus for setting off a rail supporte-d vehicle having -an auxiliary trackway connected for pivotal move- ,ment relative to an extensible trackway with a power operated rotary drive member positively engaging the auxiliary :and extensible trackways to move the vehicle selectively from a -position lover a railroad track to a position alongside the railroad track.

Heretofore in the art to which our invention relates, many devices 'have been proposed for removing maintenance machines from railroad tracks for the purpose of permitting trains to pass. Such devices have required generally horizontal supporting surfaces Vso that the machines could be moved back onto the railroad track. Not only have such devices 'been .complicated in structure but they require a considerable amount of time for 1assernbly and disassembly.

An object of our invention is to provide railroad setod Aapparatus which requires a minimum of time to remove the apparat-us Ifrom the railroad track and to return the 'apparatus to a position over the track, whereby trains will not be delayed and the maintenance machines can be used `for longer periods of time on the track.

A further object of our invention is to provide railroad set-off apparatus which shall include positive means for propelling the apparatus to `a position alongside the track and then returning the apparatus to the track, thus eliminating the necessity of providing complicated mechanisrn for elevating the auxiliary trackway, such as jacks and the like.

Apparatus embodying Ifeature-s of our invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application in which:

iFlG. 1 is a side elevational view showing the flanged wheels of the rail sup-ported vehicle riding on the rails of a railroad track 4with the set-oft" mechanism in the raised position;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view corresponding to IFIG. 1 showing the flanged wheels of the lvehicle in raised position and the set-off mechanism in lowered position;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view showing the trackways of the set-ott' mechanism extended with the vehicle in set-off position;

FIG. 4 is a view corresponding to FIG. 3 showing the auxiliary trackway of the set-off mechanism completely removed from the railroad track;

FIG. 5 is an elevational View taken at right angles to FIG. 2 showing the extensible trackways in the exten-ded position;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view corresponding to lFIG. 2, partly broken away, showing the extensible trackway in extended position; and

IFIG. I is a fragmental View taken generally along the line 7--7 of FIG. 6.

Referring now to the drawings for ya better understanding of our invent-ion, we show the main frame -10 of a rail supported vehicle which is adapted Ifor longitudinal movement along the rails 11 cf a railroad track 3,385,230 Patented May 28, 1968 "ice on flanged wheels 12. The main frame 10 is adapted t0 support railway maintenance equipment, ysuch :as a track liner indicated `diagramm-atically at 13.

Pivotally connected to the forward and rear ends of the main Iframe 10 -by pivot pins 14 are outwardly projecting support arms 16 which yare rigidly secured to an elongated, auxiliary frame 17 which is of an inverted, U- shaped, 'as viewed in cross sect-ion :having a base 18 and depending sides 19 and 21. Secured to and projecting upwardly from the central portion of the elongated frame 17 is a ybracket 22. Pivotally connected to the lbracket 22 by a pivot pin 23 is one end of a piston rod 24 of -a duid pressure operated cylinder 26. The Iupper end of the cylinder 26 is pivotally connected by a pivot pin 27 to an outwardly projecting 'bracket 28 carried Iby the main frame 10. Fluid under pressure is introduce-d into opposite ends of the cylinder 26 `by suitable conduits I29 and 31. Accordingly, upon introducing duid under pressure into the conduit 29, the piston rod 24 is extended to thus raise the main frame 10 relative to the elongated frame 17, as shown in FIG. 7. `On the other hand, upon introduction of fluid into conduit v31, the piston -rod 24 is retracted to thus raise the aux-iliary frames 17 relative to the main frame 10` whereby the flan-ged wheels `are moved into engagement with the rails 11, `as shown in FIG. 1.

Extending within the lower portion of the elongated frame 17, as shown in FIG. 7, in position to engage the upper surface of the rails 11 while the 'anged wheels 12 are elevated is an auxiliary trackway 32 which is preferably in the form of an I-beam, as shown. Inw-ardly extending detents 33 are carried by the inner surface of the depending sides `19 an-d 21 of the elongated frame 17, as shown in FIG. 7, in position to engage the undersurface of the uppermost flange of I-beam 32 to thus support the I-beam while the auxiliary frame 1'7 is in the raised position, as shown in FIG. l.

Secured to the upper surface of the upper ange of the I-beam 32 is a chain-like member 34 having one end thereof extending outwardly of the auxiliary frame 17, as shown in FIG. 6. Secured to the under surface of the chain 34 outwardly of and in alignment with the I-bearn 32 is an I-beam trackway section 36. Secured to the web of the I-beam 32 adjacent the I-beam section 36 is a bracket 37 having an arcuate upper surface 38 which is in posit-ion to engage the lower arcuate surface 39 of a bracket 41 carried by the web of I-beam section 36. Secured to the under surface of the chain 34 outwardly of and in alignment with the I-beam section 36 is an I-beam trackway section 42. A bracket 43 is secured to the -web of the I-beam 42 and is provided with an arcuate upper surface 44 which -is adapted to engage the lower arcuate surface y46 of va bracket 47 carried by the web of IJbeam section 36. The cooperating -brackets 37-41 and 43-47 provide continuous supporting surfaces between the adjacent I-beam sections while the I-beam sections are moved to selected angular positions relative to each other. In FIG. 6 of the drawings, the I-beam sections are shown in abutting relation to each other yas well as having the arcuate surfaces thereof in engagement -with each other.

Suitable stop members 48 and 49 are provided at opposite ends of the 4chain 34, as shown 4in FIG. 6. Also, the Ifree end of the I-beam section 42 is supported by a suitable wheel 51, as shown.

Extending transversely through the auxiliary frame 17 in spaced relation to each other are `shaft members 52 and 53 which are supported by suitable bearings 54. Secured to each of the shafts 52 `and 53 and adapted for rotation within the contines of the elongated, auxiliary frame 17 are sprocket-like ywheels 56 which have outwardly projecting teeth space-d angularly from each other a distance to enter the recesses or valleys provided at longitudinally spaced intervals along the chain 3-4. .That is, the sprocket-like member 56 is provided with teeth which are in position to engagethe links of the chain 34 to propel the auxiliary frame 17 and the main frame 10 carried thereby along the chain 34.

Mounted on the shaft 52 outwardly of the side wall 19 is a worm gear reducer indicated generally at 57. A worm gear 58 is secured to the shaft 52 within the housing of the worm gear reducer 57, as shown in FIG. 7, in position to be engaged by a worm 59 carried by a shaft 61. The shaft 51 is operatively connected to a high torque, low speed fluid pressure operated motor 62. The motor 62 is supported by a dependingbracket 63 which is connected as at 64 to an elongated torque arm 66. The free end of the torque arm 66 is connected by a pivot pin 67 to an adjustable link 68 having its lower end pivotally connected to the auxiliary frame 17 by a pivot pin 69. Accordingly, upon propelling the motor 62 in opposite directions, the sprocket 56 carried by the shaft 52 rotates in opposite directions to thus propel the auxiliary frame and the main frame carried thereby along the chain 34.

Secured to the under surface of the I-beam section 42 adjacent the point of connection thereto to I-beam section 36 is an outwardly projecting bracket 71 which carries a rail hook element indicated generally at 72 which is adapted to hook the lower portion of a rail, as shown in FIG. 6, to thus limit outward movement of the I-beam section 42 as the auxiliary frame and main frame move to the position sohwn in FIGS. 3 and 4. A stop bracket 73 is secured to the under surface of the I-beam section 32, as shown in FIG. 6, in position to engage the inner surface of a rail 11 and thus limit lateral movement of the I-beam trackway 32 relative to the rail.

From the foregoing description, the operation of our apparatus will be readily understood. The main frame 10 is moved along the rails 11 by engagement of its lianged wheels 12 with the rails in the usual manner. When it is desired to remove or set off the main frame 10 and the apparatus 13 carried thereby, the fluid pressure operated cylinder 26 is actuated by introducing fluid under pressure through conduit 29 to thus lower the auxiliary frame 17 whereby the trackway 32 engages the rail 11. After engagement of the trackway 32 with the rail 11, continued extension of the piston rod 24 elevates the main frame 10, as shown in FIG. 7, whereby the wheels 12 are in position to clear the rails 11. That is, the apparatus moves from the position shown in FIG. 1 to the position shown in FIG. 2. The I-beam trackway sections 42 and 36 are then moved from the position shown in FIG. 2 to the position shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 whereby they extend downwardly and outwardly of the railroad track. The rail hook member 72 is moved into engageient with the rail 11, as shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 6 while the free end of the trackway section 42 is supported by the wheels 51. With the trackway sections 36 and 42 thus extended, uid under pressure is introduced into the motor 62 to drive the sprockets 56 in the proper direction to propel the auxiliary frame 17 and main frame 1G carried thereby from the position shown in FIG. 6 to the position shown in FIG. 3. The I-beam trackways 36 and 32 are then pivoted over the arms 16 of the auxiliary frame 17, as shown in FIG. 4 whereby the entire apparatus clears the track for the passage of a train. It will be noted that the support arms 16 support the trackway section 32 while the apparatus is in the position shown in FIG. 4 and support the trackway section 42 while the apparatus is in the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that we have devised improved railroad set-off apparatus which may be readily assembled and disassembled with a minimum of effort and with a minimum of time whereby the maintenance apparatus may remain on the tracks for a longer period of time. By providing positive means for propelling the auxiliary frames and the main frame carried thereby selectively from a position on the rails to a position alongside the rails, the entire apparatus may be transferred to selected elevations alongside the trackway without having to provide complicated mechanism for leveling the extended trackways. Furthermore, by providing chain elements 34 along the auxiliary trackway as well as the extensible trackway, the pivot pins of the chain serve as pivot pins for moving the trackway sections relative to each other.

While we have shown our invention in but one form, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various other changes and modilications without departing from the spirit thereof, and we desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In set-olf apparatus for a rail supported vehicle having a main frame supported for longitudinal movement along the rails of a railroad track, the improvement which comprises:

(a) auxiliary frames carried by and extending transversely of said main frame,

(b) means to impart relative vertical movement between said main frame and said auxiliary frames to raise and lower said main frame and said auxiliaiy frames selectively relative to the rails of a railroad track,

(c) an auxiliary trackway for each of said auxiliary frames extending transversely of said main frame and disposed to engage the rails of a railroad track upon lowering said auxiliary frame relative to the main frame,

(d) an extensible trackway operatively connected to said auxiliary trackway and defining an extension therefor which extends selectively from a retracted position over the railroad track to a position outwardly of the railroad track,

(e) said auxiliary trackway being movable from a position over the rails of a railroad track to a position outwardly of the railroad track, and

(f) a power operated rotary drive member carried by at least one of said auxiliary frames disposed to engage positively its auxiliary trackway and extensible trackway to propel said auxiliary frames and the main frame connected thereto selectively from a position over a railroad track to a position alongside a railroad track. y

2. In set-off apparatus for a rail supported vehicle as delined in claim 1 in which an auxiliary frame is mounted for pivotal movement adjacent each end of the main frame and a power actuated unit is interposed between said main frame and each auxiliary frame to impart relative vertical movement therebetween.

3. In set-off apparatus for a rail supported vehicle as defined in claim 1 in which the power operated rotary drive member has an annular row of outwardly projecting teeth and the upper surfaces of said auxiliary and extensible trackways have longitudinally spaced depressions in position to receive positively said outwardly projecting teeth so that upon rotation of said rotary drive members said drive member moves along said auxiliary and extensible trackways.

4. In set-off apparatus for a rail supported vehicle as defined in claim 1 in which the rotary drive member is a sprocket-like member and a chain-like member is carried by the upper surfaces of the auxiliary and extensible rackways in position to receive said sprocket-like mem- 5. In set-off apparatus for a rail supported vehicle as defined in claim l1 in which a power operated sprocketlike member is carried by each auxiliary frame and a chain-like member is carried by the upper surfaces of assenso said auxiliary and extensible tracliways in position to receive the sprocket-like member, and a supporting wheel is carried by the extensible trackway.

6. In set-oii apparatus for a rail supported vehicle as defined in claim I in which an intermediate section 0f trackway is pivotally connected at one end to one end of the auxiliary trackway with the other end of said intermediate section 0f trackway pivotally connected to one end of the extensible trackway, and means is carried by said one end of the extensible trackway for detachably connecting said extensible trackway to a rail of the railroad track.

7. In set-off apparatus for a rail supported vehicle as defined in claim 1 in which each auxiliary frame comprises:

(a) an elongated frame extending transversely of the vehicle frame and disposed to extend generally perpendicular to the rails of a rail-road track,

(b) laterally projecting support arms carried by said elongated frame,

(c) means pivotally connecting said support arms to said main frame whereby said auxiliary frame and said main frame are adapted for vertical movement relative to each other,

(d) a power actuated member interposed between said main frame and said auxiliary frame to move said auxiliary frame to selected positions relative to said main frame,

=(e) sprocket-like members carried by said elongated frame and having outwardly projecting teeth,

(f) there being longitudinally spaced recesses in said auxiliary and extensible trackways in position to receive the teeth of said sprocket-like members, and

(g) means to rotate at least one of said sprocket-like members in opposite directions to move said auxiliary frames and the main frame carried thereby selectively to a position over `a railroad track and to a position alongside a railroad track.

8. In set-off apparatus for a railroad track as defined in claim 'i in which the power actuated member interposed between said main frame and said auxiliary frame is a fluid pressure operated cylinder.

9. In set-off apparatus for a railroad track as dened in claim 7 in which the means to rotate the sprocketlike member comprises a power unit carried by the auxiliary frame.

10. In set-off apparatus for va railroad track as `deiined in claim 9 in which the sprocket-like member is secured to a shaft mounted for rotation on said auxiliary frame and said power unit is carried by said shaft with means connecting said power unit to said auxiliary frame to limit rotation of said power unit.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,009,113 7/1935 Landis 105--177 2,941,724 6/1960 Lutts 104-`1 X 3,182,604 5/1965 Foxx 10S-177 ARTHUR L. LA POINT, Primary Examiner.

D. F. WORTH IH, Assistant Examiner. 

